The only doctors who can call themselves “orthodontists” are those having graduated from college, dental school, and an accredited orthodontic residency program. Similar to becoming a medical specialist, such as a surgeon who completes extensive training after graduating from medical school, orthodontists complete residency programs that are two to three years of full-time education after dental school. It’s in the orthodontic residency that orthodontists receive intensive instruction in healthy tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). These extra years of education make the orthodontist the dental specialist in moving teeth and aligning jaws including the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of existing as well as developing dental problems and facial irregularities in patients of all ages – children, teens, and adults. All orthodontists are dentists, but only 5% of dentists are orthodontists.
When you choose an orthodontist for orthodontic treatment, you can be assured that you have selected an expert in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics who possesses the skills and experience to give you your best smile.
